Inspiring leaders; improving children's lives

Log into the Learning Gateway

Help Centre

Development and assessment programme

Primary and secondary school candidates

This programme will:

If you successfully meet the requirements of the assessment activities on this programme, you will be accredited as a School Improvement Partner.

If you are successful in the online assessment you will be invited to attend a two-day residential programme. Please note that this programme will require an overnight stay at your chosen venue, which will be booked and paid for by the National College for School Leadership (NCSL).

If you have already met the requirements of the online assessment, you should have received an email confirming available programme dates and asking you to complete a proforma with your preferred event choice. If you have not received this email, please contact sips@ncsl.org.uk.

Special school candidates

This programme will:

If you successfully meet the requirements of the assessment activities on this programme, you will be accredited as a School Improvement Partner for special schools.

If you are successful in your application you will be invited to a two-day development and assessment programme. Please note that this programme will require an overnight stay at your chosen venue, which will be booked and paid for by NCSL.

If you have been found eligible and selected for the programme, you should have received an email confirming available programme dates and asking you to complete a proforma with your preferred event choice. If you have not received this email, please contact sips@ncsl.org.uk.

What happens next?

Candidates who meet the standard during the assessment element of the programme will be accredited as a primary, secondary or special school SIP by NCSL. Final decisions about accreditation are made at moderation sessions at key points during the term. Those accredited will receive formal notification of accreditation via email following national moderation.  This is normally within six to eight weeks after their attendance at the programme.

If you are unsuccessful in the two-day development and assessment programme, you will receive brief written feedback to help you understand any points for development, within 15 working days of the notification of your results. Candidates for SIP accreditation who do not meet the standards in the two-day residential programme will have the opportunity to resit this element of the assessment programme. If they do not meet the standards at the second attempt, a third and final opportunity will be available no sooner than 12 months from receiving notification of the results of the second assessment.